Wrapping machines



May 31, 1960 H. LESCH WRAPPING MACHINES ISSheetS-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1958 mmm www? .mf

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Inventar 76M W E? Ww May 31, 1960 H LEscH WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-SheetI 2 LDH/enter JPM FFM May 31, 1960 H. LESCH 2,938,320

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheetsheet 3 May 31, 1950 H. LEscH Y 2,938,320

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WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 17, 1958 Inventar 46M 24ML if W May 31, 1960 H. LESCH WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Shea?I 6 Filed June 17, 1958 May 31, 1960 H. I EscH 2,938,320

WRAFPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 7 Inveno/ @M M May 31, 1960 H. L EscH wRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 17, 1958 Inventar j@ W @Y WY May 311, 1960 H. L EscH WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 17, 1958 fmfenor We M @1f Mm May 3'1, 1960 H. LESCH 2,938,320

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 10 May 3'1, 1960 H. Lr-:scH

WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed June 17, 1958 www May 31, 1960 H. LESCH WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed June 17, 1958 May 3'1, 1960 H. L EscH WRAPPING MACHINES 18 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed June 17, 1958 mummy May 3'1, 1960 H. I EscH NRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 my l May 31, 1960 H. L r-:scH 2,938,320

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 15 May 31, 1960 H. LESCH 2,938,320

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 May 31, 1960 H. LESCH l 2,938,320

WRAPPING MACHINES Filed June 17, 1958 18 Sheets-Sheet 17 FL'Q. El

Inventar 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 Filed June 17, 1958 United States Patent 'i WRAPPIN G MACHINES Hans Lesch, Hannover, Germany, assignor to Otto Hnsel Junior G.m.b.H., Hannover, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed June 11, 195s, ser. No. v742,976

2s claims. (c1. ss-zs4) The present invention relates to a Wrapping machine for chocolate articles, candy, sweets, and the like and particularly describes an apparatus which operates according to a method in which several stamps and folding means or folding and closing members are supplied with the articles to be wrapped at the same time and actuated simultaneously from a common drive, whereupon the pre-packed articles are transferred from the stamps and the folding tunnels to separately operating members which twist or fold projecting parts of the wrapper to completely close the wrapping.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an appartus which has a far greater output than a conventional wrapping machine, and which also handles delicate articles satisfactorily.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which wraps two pieces of candy at the same time and which has a common drive to increase the efficiency of the machine. 'Ille feed plates receive several candies at a time, and it is possible to wrap different types of candy in different wrappers on the same machine at the same time.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which ensures that the various tools can operate without interfering each other, and in which the units are arranged to carry the folding and closing members in form of a V so that the partially wrapped candies which leave the folding tunnels are transferred from these pre-folding members to the side.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a machine frame which also accommodates the drive means, and which is provided with a stamp unit comprising several individual stamps. Beside the stamp unit an intermittent feed device with several feeding channels, each of which supplying one of the stamps, is arranged and operates in accordance with the stroke cycle of the stamps. Furthermore, a separate wrapping paper supply system is provided for each stamp. Above the stamps a carrier is arranged which accommodates guide means and drive means for the counter stamps and which has gripper heads which are journalled rotatably about an axis inclined relative to the direction of movement of the stamps, one gripper head being provided for each stamp. On both sides of the feeding device for the articles to be wrapped, stationary or movable folding members are operating. Furthermore, twisting, folding, or other closing means to close any projecting wrapping material are provided for each gripper head at one point of the path of travel of the grippers, opposite the point of transfer of the partially wrapped articles. All of the drive and control members of the devices cooperating with each other are adapted so that the articles, as for instance candies or the like, which have to be wrapped, are supplied simultaneously but independently from each other, whilst at the same time the different paper feed mechanismus feed a cut piece of wrapping material to each of the stamps. The articles .together with the-cut piece of wrapping material which is held in positionby the counter stamps are moved by Y2,938,320 Y PatentedMay 31, 1960 rice Y and an end fold on the other end has to be made, or a sack wrap is required. Finally, the completely wrapped articles are automatically discharged.

The machine is designed so as to require a minimum of floor space. Furthermore, the different units may be exchanged individually or adapted to enable a versatile operation and numerous variations with respect to the different types of wrappers. Preferably, the twisting heads used for twist wraps are displaceable towards the article to compensate for the shortening of the Wrapping material during the twisting operation and .to prevent the material from being damaged. In order to achieve a particularly stiff twist wrap, the control means for the axial displacement of the twisting head is adjustable or disengageable.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with .the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front end view of the machine, the feed table being illustrated in section;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine, the wrapping unit being taken of for the purpose of better illustration;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View of the feed device from above;

Fig. 5 is a front end view of the feed device according to Fig. 4, the feed table being shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the feed `table on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the paper feed mechanism on an enlarged scale;

- Fig. 8 is a .top plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a front end view of the lower stamp and its drive, the housing being shown in section; y

Fig. 10 is a top plan View of the stamp shown in Fig. 9; v

Fig. 11 is a side view of the stamp shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the upper stamp and its `drive which co-operates with the lower stamp;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the upper stamp shown in Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a front end view of the wrapping head, partially in section, with outlet chutes for the wrapped candies;

Fig. 14a is a diagrammatic view of the wrapping operation (see also Fig. 2);

Fig. 15 is a side view `of the wrapping head shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a top plan View of the wrapping head shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the complete wrapping head housing including the drive means and the twisting head arrangement;

Fig. l7alis a detail of the showing of Fig. 17 in a simplified illustration;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view on the twisting head with its drive means, partially in section;

Fig. 19 is a view of the twisting head, as seen in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view along the lines C--D of Fig. 18; and

Figs. 21 and 22 are sectional and side views of a particularly suitable embodiment of the twisting head drive.

Referring Inow to the drawings, for the purpose of a better understanding, Figs. l to 3 are views of the complete machine. The following figures show, on an enlarged scale and partially in section, the various individual operating units of the machine. n

On a machine Aframe A, which accommodates the main drive unit, a housing A1 is mounted, carrying the feed hopper B with feed channels C and a vibrator V arranged below. On the upper side of the frame A and at the side of the hopper B, a feed plate D is arranged which in the illustrated embodiment is provided with two inlet .openings` D1 and D2. These openings correspond to the shape of the candies to be wrapped. In the embodiment shown, the feed hopper has two `compartments B1 and B2, for round candies X and rectangul r Acandies Y, respectively. Each of the two compartments B1 and B2 has its own feed chute C1, C2 which are arranged so that the round candies X from the compartment B2 reach the opening D, of the feed table D through the chute C2, and the rectangular candies Y from the compartment B2, the opening D2 through Ythe chute C2.

On a rear housing A3, a paper supply mechanism E is arranged formed of the units E1 and E2. The latter supply the wrapping material. It is important that one of these units supplies wrapping material different from the other one, to account for the different types of candy X and Y. Usually, each paper feed mechanism feeds a protective wrapper and an outer wrapper which are cut to the required length by means of a pair of scissors.

The feed table D which moves intermittently in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, takes one piece of candy X and one piece Y to a stamp device (Fig. 2) formed of a lower stamp and an upper or counter stamp. The Wrapping material supply units E1 and E2 feed the wrapping material to the same place (F). The stamp device comprises two pairs of stamps F1 and F2 which are actuated by a `common drive. It is the purpose of the stamp device to simultaneously discharge one piece of candy, type X and one of the type Y from the feed plate D and to take them together with the cut pieces of wrapping material to the wrapping unit G where they are seized by the grippers of the wrapping devices G1 Aand G2. These are arranged so Vthat they pass the candies and the wrapping material received from the stamps Vto the side and to the `twisting devices H1 and H2 Where the projecting parts .of the wrapping material are closed by a twisting operation.

The wrapping devices G1 and G2, as well as the twisting devices H1 and H2 and their drive means are journalled in a housingA2 on the machine frame A. Finally, the completely wrapped candies are discharged through chutes J1 and J2 and removed.

A. The feeding device The feed unit for the candies is illustrated, in detail and on an enlarged scale, in Figs. 4 to 6. The feed plate in this embodiment is provided with two rows of similar openings to receive the candies. Supports 1 on an arm A1 carry a big-capacity hopper which, through means of a separating wall 3 is divided in two compartments B1 and B2. Each compartment is provided with a bottom outlet 4 and 5, respectively, throughv which the candies fall into the chute C1 or C2 arranged below. To separate the candies from fragments and split-oit small pieces, the bottom of the chutes is perforated, so that the fragments can be collected in a container 7.

The chutes C1 and C2 Aare resiliently mounted on a vibrator V which in turn is mounted on rubber blocks 6 on the machine frame, which `arrangement is known per se.

Through means of control elements 8 and 9 the vibration frequency of each ofthe chutes C1 and C2 may be controlled so that the -amount of candies supplied can be adapted to the amount required by the machine.

The feed plate substantially comprises a ringt), having 'two rows of openings 11 and 12 to receive the candy. The ring 1t) is arranged on a Vcentral body 14 mounted on a shaft 13, and its upper Iside is covered by 'a plate 15 which is also rotating. Below the ring 10 rails 16 are arranged below the openings 11 and 12 to prevent the candy from falling down. The rails 16 are not as wide as the diameter of the openings 11 and 12 so that fragments of the candies can fall down into a container 17.

Part of the ring 10 is enclosed by a wall 18. To facilitate cleaning of the machine, the wall 18 forms several sections which are fastened by means of clamps 19.

Furthermore, the upper side of the feed plate is provided with a so-called central wall 20 which is arranged concentric to the plate center and which separates the openings 11 and 12. The upper end of the wall 20 is bent to the inside (Fig. 6) so that an opening for the candy remains between its two ends. An arm 21 and supports 22 retain the wall in its position. Projecting into the chamber enclosed by the wall 20 is a guide means 23 which is also carried by the `arm 21.

In front of the opening for the candy a brush 24, rotatable about a vertical axis, is journalled to brush the surface of the feed plate. When rotating in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6, candies which did not fall into an opening 12 are returned into a compartment formed of the central wall 20 .and the guide means 23. The feed chute C2 which bridges the row of openings 11 also ends in Ithe same compartment.

Another wall 25 is provided, connecting the ends of the outer wall 18 as shown in Fig. 6. The outer wall 18, the wall 25, and the central wall 20 enclose a chamber which receives the candy to vbe placed inthe openings 11. The chute C1 accordingly opens .into this chamber. Immediately in front of the wall 25 another brush 26, rotating about a vertical axis in the direction of the arrow, is arranged which returns the candy which did not fall .into the openings, to the Afeed station. To prevent these .candies from reaching empty openings 12 in the inner row of openings, flat tongues 27 and 28 are provided which rest on the upper side of the feed plate.

The number of candies supplied to the feed lplate is `automatically controlled. For this purpose, an electric rswitch 29 having teelersl 3b vand 31 is mounted on the outer Wall 18. Each of the feelers extends to one of the rows of openings l1 and 12. On the other hand, the switch 29 is connected to the control elements 8 and 9 which lcontrolthe operation of the vibrators. .Depending on the amount of candy on the inner or outer row of Openings, .the feeler 30 or 31 .is lifted more or less which .actionresults in Yan automatic variation of the vibration Vfrequency of the feed chutes 'C1 and C2 so that further .supply of candies is interrupted or re-started. l

.The control of the candy supply as described above and, on the other hand, the brushes 'Z4 and 25 ensure that all openings 11 and 12 of the feed plate rotating intermittently in the direction of the arrow, are lled with candies. It ,does not `matter whether similarly of differently shaped candies are supplied. In any case, thc openings 11 take one .type of candy and the openings 12 the other type; ,Upon intermittent rotation of the feed plate one piece of candy each reaches a position 11 and 12', respectively. Here, they are near the stamp arrangement which will be described later, which discharges the candy, together-with the ycut piece of wrapping material which in the meantime has been ksupplied to this station, olf the feed plate 10.

' On the rear of the Wall 25 a cover plate 32 is arranged which rest onthe plate 10 land prevents the candy from accidentally leaving the openings -11 and 12 when the control finger of the paper feed mechanism hits the candy in the opening from below. if an opening 11 or 12 should not contain a piece of candy, the paper supply is interrupted 4through means of the control finger.

B. The wrapping material feed mechanism It is an important feature ofthe present invention that only one drive Yunit operates two paper feed mechanisms at thesame time and parallel '-toeach other. Eachfof 

